`Baby Richard' Adoptive Family Aided

The law firm of Jenner & Block will be joining the legal team representing the adoptive parents in the "Baby Richard" case during upcoming hearings.

Firm chairman Jerold Solovy said he will be making oral arguments on behalf of the adoptive parents-known as John and Jane Doe-at an Illinois Supreme Court hearing scheduled for January.

At that time, the court will be deciding whether the Does have the legal right to a custody hearing at the trial level to determine the best interests of the boy.

The lawyers will be working on the case at no cost, said Patricia Lee Refo, head of Jenner's pro bono practice.

Richard Lifshitz, who has been representing the Does, said he asked the firm for help.

"I was unable to convince the Supreme Court as to the application of the law in the appropriate manner, so I'm optimistic that their input can do nothing except help us," Lifshitz said.

Now 3 1/2, Richard has been at the center of a protracted legal battle between the Does and his biological father, Otakar Kirchner, who was told by the boy's mother that his son had died at birth.

Last summer, the Illinois Supreme Court ordered the boy returned to Kirchner, whom he has never met. And last month, the U.S. Supreme Court refused to undo that ruling.

A new round of state court hearings will center on a law passed by the Illinois General Assembly-after last summer's Supreme Court ruling-that provides for a best-interest hearing in cases where adoptions are contested.